1 Samuel 9:6

And he said unto him, Behold now, [there is] in this city a man of God, and [he is] an honourable man; all that he saith cometh surely to pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can shew us our way that we should go.

And he said {H559} unto him, Behold now, there is in this city {H5892} a man {H376} of God {H430}, and he is an honourable {H3513} man {H376}; all that he saith {H1696} cometh {H935} surely to pass {H935}: now let us go {H3212} thither; peradventure he can shew {H5046} us our way {H1870} that we should go {H1980}.

His servant replied, "Here now, there's a man of God in this city, a man who is highly respected, and everything he says proves true. Let's go to him; maybe he can tell us something about where we should go."

โ€œLook,โ€ said the servant, โ€œin this city there is a man of God who is highly respected; everything he says surely comes to pass. Let us go there now. Perhaps he will tell us which way to go.โ€

And he said unto him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is a man that is held in honor; all that he saith cometh surely to pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can tell us concerning our journey whereon we go.

Commentary

In 1 Samuel 9:6, we find Saul, who is on a mission to find his father's lost donkeys, receiving counsel from his servant. This verse marks a pivotal moment where a seemingly mundane search for animals becomes the unexpected path to a divine appointment. The servant suggests consulting a revered "man of God" in the city, highlighting his esteemed reputation and accurate prophetic foresight.

Context

Saul, a young man from the tribe of Benjamin, has been diligently searching for his father Kish's lost donkeys for three days, a task that has led them far from home (1 Samuel 9:3). Exhausted and contemplating return, Saul's servant proposes an alternative: seeking guidance from a local "man of God" who is known for his reliable predictions. This "man of God" is, in fact, Samuel, the great prophet and judge of Israel, though his name is not explicitly mentioned in this verse. This encounter is divinely orchestrated, setting the stage for Saul's anointing as Israel's first king.

Key Themes

  • Divine Providence and Guidance: This verse beautifully illustrates how God uses ordinary circumstances and even frustrating problems (like lost donkeys) to direct individuals toward His greater plan. It underscores the idea that God's hand is at work even in the mundane.
  • Seeking Spiritual Counsel: The servant's initiative to consult a "man of God" emphasizes the value of seeking wisdom and direction from those who are spiritually discerning and connected to God. His trust in the prophet's words highlights the importance of divine revelation.
  • Prophetic Authority and Reliability: The description of the "man of God" as "an honourable man" whose words "cometh surely to pass" speaks to the recognized authority and trustworthiness of true prophets in ancient Israel. Their words were seen as God's words, carrying divine weight and certainty.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "man of God" translates from the Hebrew 'ish 'Elohim (ืึดื™ืฉื ืึฑืœึนื”ึดื™ื), a significant title used throughout the Old Testament for prophets, judges, and other individuals specially chosen and empowered by God to deliver His message or perform His will. It signifies a person deeply devoted to God and acting as His representative. The servant's affirmation that "all that he saith cometh surely to pass" (literally, "comes, it comes") emphasizes the absolute certainty and fulfillment of the prophet's words, reflecting God's own faithfulness to His declarations.

Practical Application

For believers today, 1 Samuel 9:6 offers several powerful lessons:

  • God's Unexpected Paths: We often seek God's will in grand, spiritual moments, but this verse reminds us that God can guide us through everyday challenges and seemingly insignificant events. Our "lost donkeys" might be the very means by which God leads us to our next divine appointment.
  • Value of Wise Counsel: Just as Saul's servant knew to seek a "man of God," we are encouraged to seek counsel from mature, godly individuals when faced with decisions or uncertainties. The Bible frequently commends the wisdom found in a multitude of counselors (Proverbs 11:14).
  • Trusting God's Sovereignty: This narrative reinforces the truth of God's sovereign control over all circumstances. Even when we feel lost or directionless, God is actively working behind the scenes, orchestrating events to fulfill His purposes for our lives. Trusting in His guidance, even when the path is unclear, is a vital aspect of faith.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 33:1 (6 votes)

    ยถ And this [is] the blessing, wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death.

  • 1 Kings 13:1 (5 votes)

    ยถ And, behold, there came a man of God out of Judah by the word of the LORD unto Bethel: and Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense.

  • 1 Timothy 6:11 (4 votes)

    But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

  • Matthew 24:35 (2 votes)

    Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

  • 1 Samuel 2:27 (2 votes)

    ยถ And there came a man of God unto Eli, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Did I plainly appear unto the house of thy father, when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh's house?

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:10 (2 votes)

    Ye [are] witnesses, and God [also], how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:

  • 1 Samuel 3:19 (2 votes)

    ยถ And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.